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Granada Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Granada

Granada guide

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Located in southern Spain, Granada is the capital of the Granada province in Andalusia. Throughout its long history the city has come under Jewish, Moorish and Christian influences and, as a result, has a rich cultural history. The city is home to the Alhambra, a series of Moorish citadel and palace buildings. Here you can find the Palace of Charles V, an example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. The Royal Chapel is where famous monarchs, Isabel and Ferdinand are buried. Visitors can walk through the Albaicin; a Moorish kasbah made up of narrow streets and whitewashed houses. The city also offers a vibrant nightlife. In the Sacromonte district tourists can sample traditional regional entertainment, try out flamenco and dance the night away.

Latest reviews of Granada

Granada was a wonderful city with lots of cultural influence. Architecture and the Muslim influence is really strong and present in the whole city. Also there are lots of partying opportunities and great cheap beer and FREE TAPAS! Lots of things to do, but if you run out of ideas, you can take...more Granada was a wonderful city with lots of cultural influence. Architecture and the Muslim influence is really strong and present in the whole city. Also there are lots of partying opportunities and great cheap beer and FREE TAPAS! Lots of things to do, but if you run out of ideas, you can take a 2 hour bus ride to the beach. It was without a doubt, the best trip of my life.close

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by lauraann6580 – posted on Apr 7, 2008

lauraann6580, from USA, has 4 reviews 4

Granada is very chill and is definitely one of those cities that you rarely hear of and is one of the best experiences. If you want to get off the beaten path Granada is defiantly one of those cities. Food is really cheap here. You can order a beer and it normally comes with a tapa for 1.80....more Granada is very chill and is definitely one of those cities that you rarely hear of and is one of the best experiences. If you want to get off the beaten path Granada is defiantly one of those cities. Food is really cheap here. You can order a beer and it normally comes with a tapa for 1.80. The Alhambra is gorgeous make sure you go. The weather is nice and warm, but this time of year it\'s a bit chilly.close

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by Leino – posted on Dec 13, 2007

Leino, from USA, has 9 reviews 9

Alhambra is incredible! It costs €10 entry and i would recommend investing in the electronic guides if you want to know what anything is. Takes a while to walk round, but the detail in the castle and grounds is unbelievable! Views are fabulous! Granada itself is interesting, full of winding...more Alhambra is incredible! It costs €10 entry and i would recommend investing in the electronic guides if you want to know what anything is. Takes a while to walk round, but the detail in the castle and grounds is unbelievable! Views are fabulous! Granada itself is interesting, full of winding streets and cool cafes. No more than a day needed though! The cathedral is cool, costs €3.50.close

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by hkeirl1121 – posted on Nov 12, 2007

hkeirl1121, from Australia, has 5 reviews 5

One of my favourites cities in Spain, not only because of the Alhambra. The city is so charming and unique that is impossible not to fall in love with. Walking in the small streets, eating some moorish sweet and drinking a moroccan minth tea, shopping in moroccan kiosks.... Visiting the Alhambra...more One of my favourites cities in Spain, not only because of the Alhambra. The city is so charming and unique that is impossible not to fall in love with. Walking in the small streets, eating some moorish sweet and drinking a moroccan minth tea, shopping in moroccan kiosks.... Visiting the Alhambra is like going back in the past, feeling the history of the south of Spain, it's like living a dream during 5 hours.close

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by saracarolina81 – posted on Aug 21, 2007

saracarolina81, from Italy, has 25 reviews 25

What impressed me the most about this city is the perfect blend between Arabic and Christian culture. The narrow alleys of the Albayzin, the islamic quarter, are full of shops and cafes (teterias) with outdoor tables where you can relax and enjoy a good cup of Moroccan tea. The Alhambra is...more What impressed me the most about this city is the perfect blend between Arabic and Christian culture. The narrow alleys of the Albayzin, the islamic quarter, are full of shops and cafes (teterias) with outdoor tables where you can relax and enjoy a good cup of Moroccan tea. The Alhambra is without any doubt the symbol of the city: this palace-fortress dominates the entire city. Another must is the Sacromonte, a district where caves have been transformed into dwellings occupied mostly by gypsiesclose

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by Michele – posted on Jul 25, 2007

Michele, from Italy, has 11 reviews 11

I didn’t like Granada - pretty from a distance but the city center is quite modern and I found the people unfriendly. While there, there was a big open air party in one of the main squares and we found the atmosphere quite threatening: a lot of rowdy, drunken youths. I believe these kinds of...more I didn’t like Granada - pretty from a distance but the city center is quite modern and I found the people unfriendly. While there, there was a big open air party in one of the main squares and we found the atmosphere quite threatening: a lot of rowdy, drunken youths. I believe these kinds of open air party are gaining in popularity in Spain, but quite frankly you could have them. The Alhambra on the other hand, is something everyone should get to see at least once in their lives. It is amazingly beautiful and the views over Granada are excellent.close

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by Donal – posted on Jul 16, 2007

Donal, from Ireland, has 129 reviews 129

It is amazing to find a town so fun and full of culture that also has one of the world\'s largest tourist attractions. Tourists stay close to the Alhambra, but Granada boasts a moorish district full of tea houses and cheap goods, gypsies living in caves, hippies from all over the world,...more It is amazing to find a town so fun and full of culture that also has one of the world\'s largest tourist attractions. Tourists stay close to the Alhambra, but Granada boasts a moorish district full of tea houses and cheap goods, gypsies living in caves, hippies from all over the world, traditional tapas bars, and a university atmosphere to bootclose

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by elenimarie – posted on May 17, 2007

elenimarie, from USA, has 11 reviews 11

Granada is an amazing city, the Alhambra is wonderful but this place is terrible. Staff were not friendly at all (above all the old man of the night shift), rooms and bathrooms were not clean, breakfast was poor, they charged my card without telling me, people at the reception didn't know the...more Granada is an amazing city, the Alhambra is wonderful but this place is terrible. Staff were not friendly at all (above all the old man of the night shift), rooms and bathrooms were not clean, breakfast was poor, they charged my card without telling me, people at the reception didn't know the prices they charged for the rooms... there are a lot of better places to sleep in Granada.close

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by saracarolina – posted on May 8, 2007

saracarolina, from Italy, has 7 reviews 7

Granada is fantastic. All its small street where you can get lost, Arabic shops and teterías and their delicious sweets... I loved it! The amazing Alhambra adds a lot of charm to the city. For only 10€ you can walk for 4/5 hours in beautiful gardens and palaces, it's like being in a dream. If...more Granada is fantastic. All its small street where you can get lost, Arabic shops and teterías and their delicious sweets... I loved it! The amazing Alhambra adds a lot of charm to the city. For only 10€ you can walk for 4/5 hours in beautiful gardens and palaces, it's like being in a dream. If you go to Spain, you can't miss it!close

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by saracarolina – posted on May 8, 2007

saracarolina, from Italy, has 7 reviews 7

great place, loved the Alhambra, but after that and the couple of other interesting places, you start to find yourself at a loose end - one and a half days was ample. the city is really interesting to walk around and there are plenty of shops (though you have to search for the ones selling food)...more great place, loved the Alhambra, but after that and the couple of other interesting places, you start to find yourself at a loose end - one and a half days was ample. the city is really interesting to walk around and there are plenty of shops (though you have to search for the ones selling food) and there are plenty of bars and so on. trains from Granada are easy - theres a great over night train to Barcelona, and there are some to Madrid, so its easy to get in and out of.close

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by tomthorp – posted on Apr 24, 2007

tomthorp, from England, has 3 reviews 3

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Top Rated Granada Places to Stay

  1. Casa del Capitel Nazari 100%      

    excellent hotel for the price. Location was excellent within walking distance of the Alhambra and the old Alcazaba neighborhood. The setting was a treat. Would stay again. Very nice and quiet.

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    by awakilmd2578 – posted on Sep 2008

    awakilmd2578, from USA, has 2 reviews 2
  2. Hotel Puerta De Las Granadas 94%      

    one of the best place to stay in granada for a short stay. the hotel is 15 mn walking from the entrance of the Alhambra and 50m to "plaça nueva" The staff is nice, good informations when you check in, english and french spoken.

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    by arnaud4026 – posted on Jul 2008

    arnaud4026, from France, has 2 reviews 2

    Great location. Staff were really helpfull. Would stay there again.

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    by shanepowell13863 – posted on May 2008

    shanepowell13863, from Australia, has 9 reviews 9
  3. Abadia 90%      

    Brilliant value I would highly recommend! Fantastic staff and the location is perfect - they have minibar of sorts which was also greatly appreciated! Couldn't fault this place on any count....

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    by ninasmithjh380 – posted on Jul 2008

    ninasmithjh380, from England, has 2 reviews 2

    En la página del hotel figura que incluyen el desayuno pero... NO TIENEN COCINA, por lo que tampoco tienen desayuno. Además, el aire acondicionado es poco potente. Por lo demás el hotel está bien. ;)

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    by vickyboy141020 – posted on Jul 2008

    vickyboy141020, from Spain, has 1 reviews 1
  4. Hotel Villa Blanca 70%      

    out of town, 15 minute drive to alhambra but if you have a car it's the best hotel to find for that price

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    by valerie5518 – posted on Sep 2008

    valerie5518, from Belgium, has 8 reviews 8

    Difficult to find, but a nice place to stay.

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    by alastair5259 – posted on Sep 2008

    alastair5259, from Scotland, has 1 reviews 1

Top Rated Granada Restaurants

  1. Tot Taberna Tofe80%      

    Nice restaurant centrally located in a quiet area (Campo del Principe). When we got there it was quite full but the staff managed to find us a table outside. We order a “surtido de tapas” to have a taste of different dishes. Food was very good and also the fresh “jarra de sangria”. Our dinner was accompanied by people singing and performing on the...

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    by Michele – posted on Jul 2007

    Michele, from Italy, has 11 reviews 11

Top Rated Granada Attractions

  1. Albayzin100%      

    Strolling around the narrow alleys of the Albayzin, the Muslim quarter, is an amazing experience. You feel you are in a different place, you are surrounded by exotic perfumes and scents coming out from small bazars and teterias. The picturesque and colourful streets create a sort of labyrinth where getting lost is “dangerously” fascinating.

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    by Michele – posted on Jul 2007

    Michele, from Italy, has 11 reviews 11
  2. Alhambra96%      

    It's one of the best monuments you can see in Andalusian. It's a brilliant arabic building which is over the city. It's good to see it at night.

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    by mariachicano – posted on Aug 2007

    mariachicano, from Spain, has 5 reviews 5
  3. Sacromonte90%      

    From Plaza Nueva you can reach the Sacromonte district with a nice “walking tour” as far as the top. Here caves have been turned into dwellings occupied by gypsies. From the district you have an amazing view of the city and the Alhambra. If you are visiting the Sacromonte late in the evening do not miss one of the flamenco shows in the several clubs. If...

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    by Michele – posted on Jul 2007

    Michele, from Italy, has 11 reviews 11

Top Rated Granada Bars

  1. Teteria Andalus80%      

    After a a walk in the Albayzin I recommend everybody to stop in one of the many teterias and have a nice cup of tea. I sat outside and relaxed for a while in this very nice tea room and got an exotic taste drinking a couple of scented teas.

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    by Michele – posted on Jul 2007

    Michele, from Italy, has 11 reviews 11
  2. Bodegas Castañeda80%      

    • What?

        Pub and tapas bar
    • Where?

        Back of the landmark Plaza Nueva
    • Anything Else?

        One of the most popular tapas bars in Granada. Wide range of affordable tabas and drinks. Helpful staff. Can be quite busy and often no seats available.

    During our tapas tour we stepped into this pub. The pub is not that big and when we arrived (around 9 pm) it was full of people. We ordered tapas (of course) and some homemade red wine. It’s really a cool pub decorated in a typical southern Spanish way.

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    by Michele – posted on Jul 2007

    Michele, from Italy, has 11 reviews 11

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Granada Weather

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In Granada

Restaurants

Restaurant name price boo rate
Tot Taberna Tofe $$$$$ 80%

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Attractions

Hotel name boo rate
Albayzin $$$$$ 100%
Alhambra $$$$ 96%
Sacromonte $$$$$ 90%

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See the Granada guide